Medical Marijuana Grow Op Busted In Abbotsford

The Huffington Post B.C.

AP

This Jan. 26, 2013 photo taken at a grow house in Denver shows a marijuana plants ready to be harvested. Last fall, voters made Washington and Colorado the first states to pass laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and setting up systems of state-licensed growers, processors and retail stores where adults over 21 can walk in and buy up to an ounce of heavily taxed cannabis. Both states are working to develop rules for the emerging recreational pot industry, with sales set to begin later this year.(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Police in B.C. busted a licensed marijuana operation after it was found to have over eight times the number of legal plants under Health Canada rules.

Officers found 295 marijuana plants at an Abbotsford home on Tuesday when the occupant only had a licence for 35 plants.

Police obtained a warrant for the property after twice contacting Health Canada to determine whether the occupant had a licence. The health ministry never confirmed whether a permit had been issued, said a police news release on Wednesday.

Also on Tuesday, Abbotsford police investigated a "dangerous" fire at a grow-op sanctioned by Health Canada.

"Therefore, twice in a single day Abbotsford Emergency Services were deployed to deal with issues that appear to fall ultimately under the broader responsibilities of Health Canada and the proper regulation and inspection of licensed marijuana grow operations," said the department.